News Words June 2025, Vol. 10, No.2 by Ethos Literacy

New Words

A Student Publication of Ethos Literacy

Identity

I Am Hope

‘m Hispanic. I’m from Mexico, I like to walk in the park. I am taking English class because I hope in the future I have a better opportunity to find a good job and if I speak English I will be more comfortable to go anyplace I want to go.

English Second Language, Age 61

I Am Exploration

am from Mexico. I am a single and housewife mom. I am brunette and have black hair. My eyes are dark brown. My height is 5’1 and I am thin. I have lived in Albuquerque, NM for almost five years. After describing who I am and where I come from, now I will describe my favorite things to do.

I really like to study English. I decided to study this language because it is necessary to communicate in this country. Besides, I would like to travel all over the world and learn about all different cultures, languages, and gastronomies. Gastronomy is one of my favorites because I like to eat all kinds of exquisite cuisine.

Also, I like to go camping and explore nature and feel the relaxation that this produces. This is a unique experience as much as listening to classical and Christian music. That is why I like to attend church and worship God because He created the world and everything in it. I love God because He is love.

English Second Language, Age 54

Me

am from China. I am a register nurse. I have two daughters. They are in elementary school now. We live in New Mexico almost 9 years. We like Albuquerque’s sunshine and food. In Ethos, I also met a great English teacher, she helps me to improve my English and know more about American culture. We are also like old friends and share everything in our life. I really appreciate all help from Ethos.

Basic Literacy, Age 35

I am from China. I am a register nurse.

I would like to travel all over the world and learn about all different cultures...

This is My True Story

am from Afghanistan. My language is Dari. I came to Albuquerque on October 13, 2015 with my five children. I am interested in studying, cooking, and gardening. I create food and invent recipes. I am Muslim. My religion is very important to me. My hobbies are writing and cooking. My dream is to pass the GED test. I have a lot of friends. One of my closest friends is [named the same as me]. I have a granddaughter now who is exploring everywhere. My granddaughter is my best friend. She is ten months old now. I spend most of my time with her.

Basic Literacy, Age 55

My First Twenty-Four Years

n May 31st, 2001, I was born here in Albuquerque, New Mexico and lived here for the majority of my life. When I was about 7 years old however, I moved to Waterloo, Iowa until I was 10 years old. Then after living in Arizona for a year, I returned to New Mexico again where I felt at home again. The culture, weather, and beauty of Albuquerque just couldn’t be beat in all the other places I lived. Now, I plan to stay here for as long as I live.

Eventually in the year of 2020, I graduated from high school after a long 4 years. But unfortunately, I graduated at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic. So after all my hard work, I had just two minutes at the ceremony and little celebration after. It was underwhelming and made me feel robbed of a proper send off. But at least I still made it, even if it was a struggle for me.

So after I graduated from high school, I decided not to go to college right away and go live life for a little bit and discover what I’d want to do first. I also wanted to be able to spend money on passions of mine like art and my ever growing Lego collection. So while I did all that, I had some low effort jobs that were close to where I lived at the time. My first long term job was at a nursing home as a housekeeper. But in 2022, I moved on to what I thought would be a better job at the Marriott with promised fourteen dollars an hour. But it was there I learned that hours were not guaranteed just because I worked there. So, I quit and then went to my job at the car wash, where I really grew as a worker and a person, and even moved up in the company! And its for that reason that I decided to try and keep moving up as well. It might be hard at times but it’s a job I ended up being proud of and still work currently.

Basic Literacy, Age 23

I Am Strong

1. I am very serious. I am a mother of two children. I like to go to church. I am a strong woman.

2. I love my family, I love my sleep and I love the rest.

3. I like the church, the people and I love God. I like English and I like learning English and reading English.

English Second Language, Age 47

I am from Afghanistan. My language is Dari.

My Birthday

It’s my birthday today. Me and a couple of my friends are going out to eat a Weck’s restaurant. I got to open presents. I got the Supergirl TV show the complete set on DVD. I got NFL headphone. We also went to the zoo. We saw baby animals like a baby money. We also saw a baby gorilla with its mother. I had a great birthday.

Basic Literacy, Age 32

Who Am I?

I am from Afghanistan.

I am a mother. I am a widow.

I am sad.

I am happy. I like to make bread. I like red and black. I like baby chicks.

I have my daughter. I have my car.

I have my house.

I have my dog.

I think my life is good.

I think my family is good.

I think my teacher is good.

English Second Language, Age 50

Who Am I?

I have a Bible I worry I am organized I dream I read I pray

I pray every day that my day will go well. I dream about reading and writing. I like to read and write sometimes. Sometimes I worry about my bills. I could not read my Bible before but now I can read it better. I am reading better every day and I like to read and write. I like to organize things in my house.

Basic Literacy, Age 80

I am from Afghanistan. I think my family is good.

Who am I?

I am nice. I am quiet. I am on time. I like sports. I like to do puzzles. I like word search puzzles. I like to clean the yard.

I have two dogs, Simon and Missy.

I have a white truck.

I have a home.

I have friends.

I think I would like to move.

I think chicken enchiladas are me favorite.

I think NBA is fun to watch.

Basic Literacy, Age 42

I Am Afraid

1. I like to be involved with the people and I want to speak English and not to be afraid and now I want to start to use the website because everything has changed.

2. Everything is on an app. When I need to make a payment I need to log in an app. I have a difficult time to do everything online.

3. I feel lonely and I am afraid about this President and what he is doing. He gives us fear and feelings of not being comfortable to go out.

English Second Language, Age 57

Travel Memories

Ojo Caliente

jo Caliente was my favorite because I heard about Ojo Caliente a long time ago and I couldn’t make because the work or no time. But one day I decided to go to see what is going on there and I really excited to know there because a lot of people went and they said they feel relaxed and they talk about the water and the people. When I went I feel like I was there before because I heard about the place. I went in the summer. I like a lot outside because they have a lot of pieces with smoke or something. I would like to see the history of Ojo Caliente and other places. There are a lot of places in New Mexico like Carlsbad Caverns. In the video I can see the road to Los Alamos where the caverns are where the Indians lived. It is really interesting in New Mexico.

English Second Language, Age 53

Chimayo

here are a lot of paintings and artists There is a lot of art in New Mexico. My favorite part of the video was Chimayo. My first visit was a lot of years ago. I went with my family, my mom, my sister, my brother in law, my nephews, my husband and my son. My son was a baby. I felt excited because I like the religion. My second visit was different because I went with my mother in law and my family from Mexico. They were excited too. My daughter Kimmie was not born yet and hasn’t visited Chimayo. Before was different because my mom and my sister always wanted to take a trip. My sister was always happy.

English Second Language, Age 57

Who am I?

I am thin and tall.

I am very kind. I am a good neighbor.

I like where I live.

I like to go for walks. I like small dogs.

I have five grandchildren. I have two daughters.

English Second Language, Age 56

I like to travel. I really like perfumes. Sometimes we go out to eat in restaurants.

Who am I?

I am kind and funny.

I wonder why people think dolphins are smarter than us.

I hear cows.

I see steak.

I want to travel for free.

I am funny and kind.

I pretend that I am a singer.

I feel like a butterfly.

I touch my hills.

I worry that I forget all the errands I have to do.

I cry when I get stabbed in my back.

I am kind and funny.

I understand that I can never be a real butterfly.

I say that I am good at baking.

I think that small acts of kindness can have a big impact on those around you.

I dream that I could change this crazy world.

I try to make a good grade.

I hope one day I will be rich.

I am kind and funny.

Basic Literacy - Age 47

Who am I?

I am from cd. Juarez. I’m kind person my parents taught me to respecto people I always have to greet Dessert girl liked to comb my hair And I’m very tidy. I like to have my house very clean I always get up. 6 am. To go for a walk. With my dog for two hours everday. I like to go out to have a tea. with my daughter Diana. I have two children I have a boy and a girl and have a husband. That I love very much He treats me like a queen. You always make us food. Mi husband and I we always sold fruit when we arrived.

Albuquerque we lived in a hotel for six months Then we rent an apartment. We had nothing We slept on the floor for four months and then we bought a bedroom. When my son Alfonso was 6 years old We stop selling fruit because I was going to school. I work in a school.

English Second Language, Age 53

Rosa Parks

osa Parks was born in 1913 and died in 2005. She had to sit in the back of the bus because of a white passenger. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

Basic Literacy, Age 80

English Second Language, Age 20

This is Me

am a Hispanic woman from New Mexico. I am a woman of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I am a homemaker, a mother of five adult children. They range in age from twenty-three to forty-two years old. I also am a grandmother of two granddaughters. I love them so much.

I have two cats that I love. Their names are Sadie and Ivy. Sadie is all black with green eyes, and Ivy has patches of brown and black and yellow. Flowers and red hearts are my favorite things. I especially like to wear heart shaped earrings.

When I think of the Lord, I feel safe and secure. At home I read my Bible and listen to Christian music. I also love to pray. My favorite Bible story is the one where Jesus rose from the dead and he is alive in my heart. My family is in my heart all the time. I would be lost without the Lord Jesus because he loves me unconditionally.

Basic Literacy, Age 61

When I think of the Lord, I feel safe and secure.

Who Am I?

I am from Afghanistan.

I am a mother.

I am a widow.

I am sad.

I am happy.

I like to make bread.

I like red and black.

I like baby chicks.

I have my daughter.

I have my car.

I have my house.

I have my dog.

I think my life is good.

I think my family is good.

I think my teacher is good.

English Second Language, Age 50

Cooking for Ramadan. My daughter’s hands. My dog Leo.

Johnny, The Key Boy Who Could Unlock Anything

ohnny was a special boy who could unlock anything. He could open any door and other things which were locked. Johnny was born with a special sight, hearing, and a beautiful smile. People would come around to see Johnny’s smile and they would find out smart he was. One day, someone found out about little Johnny’s special skills. He was a little boy who could unlock any kind of lock. When Johnny went to work, he would put on his little red cap, his blue shirt, his blue jean, and his black boot. Johnny began working for the City of Albuquerque. He would unlock doors including car doors, safes, hospital doors, door at people’s homes, and any other things which needed to be unlocked. Johnny was very busy helping people every day.

Although Johnny was always busy, when he would see children playing he would say hello to them. The little kids loved Johnny, the person who could unlock anything.

Johnny’s skills, work, and kindness made everyone like him. The City of Albuquerque was lucky to the place where Johnny worked and lived.

Basic Literacy, Age 81

Who Am I?

am from Chihuahua, Mexico. I have a big family. I have 2 children, Erubey and Sarah. I have one grandson, Tadeo. I like Zumba dancing. I like to go on walks and to Carin Leon. I like my family. We play games. We chat, we laugh. I have friends. We go dancing at Isleta Casino. My favorite book is “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I want to learn English because I have dreams of becoming a nurse.

English Second Language, Age 46

I like Zumba dancing. I like to go on walks and to Carin Leon.

Penny and Her Marble

Going to Arizona

don’t like going to Arizona in the summer because the weather is really hot. Hiking on a sunny day makes you feel very thirsty. The movie was boring, so it made me feel sleepy. Most my family don’t like the cold. Every morning my cats are tremendously hungry. After eating a big bowl of soup, I feel really full. I have a king size bed and it is comfortable. Living in a small apartment is very uncomfortable. Sometimes, my little cat throws up on the carpet and it is really disgusting. I believe that I am a calm person. I feel extremely nervous before taking an exam. While I was walking to the bathroom, I hit my knee on the door and I was in pain. Last Monday, my son didn’t come home from school on time, therefore, I was worried. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t go to church because I was sick.

English Second Language, Age 54

Heaven’s Forest

s I open my eyes, my vision is slightly blurry. I look around and the first thing I see is a bright, beaming light shooting down from the top of the thick trees. The beam is so bright that it creates little reflections around the forest, casting little shadows from the leaves as they sway. My vision becomes more and more clear by the second. I continue looking around and one of the many things that I see are baby breath flower bushes surrounding me like it welcoming me to this new place. I feel the fresh air hit my face, and the wind grazes my cheeks and into my hair as I walk down the stone path set before me. I hear birds chirping lightly and the peaceful stream not too far from me, longing for someone to sit beside it and feel at ease. As I look ahead, speculating about my environment, I see a small fountain, flowing water from the spout. While concentrating on the water, I notice how thirsty I would be, but somehow I am not. It is cold, but not too cold, and it feels fresh as it touches my skin when I go to touch it. I then graze my fingers lightly against the top of the fountain while continuing to look around. I see what looks like a cottage. I started to walk and more, dark oak doors, stone walls Then I awake.

Basic Literacy, Age 16

enny and her doll walk to Mrs. Good’s house. She pretends that they are in a forest and then flying in a plane. Just then, Penny saw something on the lawn that was shining like the sun. It was a blue marble. Penny looked around to see if anyone was watching her and picked up the marble. She ran home with Rose. They went up to her room and closed the door.

English Second Language, Age 29

Crystals

hey shine and sparkle, or give rough texture, steady and safe; they create and when combined fused together, magic will alchemize. something so pure, so clean a wonderland of serene, bliss, ethereal and enchanting, how something can make you feel so alive, yet frozen in time.

Math, Age 21

I Am a Serious Person

1. I am a serious person. I don’t like the parties. I enjoy being with my family.

2. I like to take care of my children (my son, my daughter, my nephews, my brothers, my sisters). And special persons and friends because I have cousins and they are same as my brothers and sisters.

3. I love sleep too!

4. I like to learn about the new programs and the development of children. Sometimes it is difficult for me because the trainings are in English. Sometimes we have translation but sometimes we don’t.

English Second Language, Age 53